Change a Company Name at Companies House: Complete 2026 Guide

Changing a limited company’s registered name can happen for many reasons. A business may be rebranding, entering a new market, restructuring after an acquisition or simply replacing a name that no longer reflects what it does.

Whatever the reason, the change must be properly registered before the new name becomes the company’s official legal name.

In the UK, a limited company can normally change its registered name through a special resolution or another procedure permitted by its articles of association.

Companies House must then accept and register the change. Until that happens, the old registered name remains legally effective.

The rules have also evolved considerably over the years.

Changes introduced through the Companies Act 2006, subsequent company-name regulations and the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 have given Companies House stronger powers over potentially misleading, abusive or unlawful names.

Last Updated: 23.09.2026

What Does It Mean to Change a Company Name at Companies House?

Changing a company name means replacing the legal registered name appearing on the Companies House register with a new approved name.

It is different from simply changing a brand or trading name. A business can market itself under a trading name while retaining a different registered company name. However, when the registered name itself changes, Companies House must be formally notified.

The company does not become a new business simply because its name changes. Its existing legal rights and obligations continue. Existing legal proceedings can also continue under the new name.

The Companies Act 2006 specifically provides that changing a company name does not affect its rights or obligations.

This means a company does not generally lose its contracts, debts, assets or corporate history merely because it adopts a different registered name.

When Was the Companies House Name Change Process Introduced?

The ability of UK companies to change their registered names is not new.

Before the current Companies Act 2006 framework, company name changes were governed by earlier legislation, including section 28 of the Companies Act 1985. Under that framework, changing a company name was primarily associated with passing a special resolution.

The Companies Act 2006 modernised the rules. Sections 77 to 81 created the current framework covering how a company can change its name, how Companies House registers the change and when the new name legally takes effect.

The relevant Companies Act 2006 provisions for changing a name by special resolution replaced the earlier Companies Act 1985 procedure for resolutions applying from 1 October 2009.

A significant change was that the 2006 Act also allowed companies to change their names through procedures specifically provided for in their articles of association rather than relying solely on a special resolution.

How Have Company Name Change Rules Evolved Over the Years?

Company name rules have gradually moved from a relatively straightforward registration system towards one that gives Companies House greater powers to protect the integrity of the register.

Period	Key Development
Before 2009	Company name changes were governed mainly by the Companies Act 1985
2009	The modern Companies Act 2006 name-change framework took effect
2015	Company and business name regulations changed rules surrounding sensitive words, permitted characters and “same as” names
2023 to 2024	Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency reforms expanded Companies House powers over suspicious and misleading names
2025	Mandatory identity verification began to be introduced for company directors and people with significant control
2026	Companies House fees changed again and the company register continued operating under the strengthened compliance regime

The 2015 changes simplified several naming rules and reduced the number of words treated as sensitive. They also revised how Companies House decides whether two company names should be considered the same.

A more substantial change followed the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

The reforms expanded powers to deal with names connected with dishonesty or deception, false associations with foreign governments or international organisations, and names containing computer code.

From 18 November 2025, identity verification also became a legal requirement for company directors and people with significant control under the phased Companies House reforms.

What Are the Companies House Name Rules in 2026?

Businesses cannot simply choose any wording they want for a registered company name.

The proposed name must comply with Companies House rules. Among other restrictions, a name should not be identical to another registered name unless a permitted exception applies.

It must also avoid offensive wording and certain sensitive words or expressions unless appropriate approval has been obtained.

The strengthened rules also allow action against names that may be intended to facilitate dishonesty or deception. Names that falsely suggest connections with foreign governments or international organisations can also be restricted.

Companies House can additionally take action against names containing computer code or names registered on the basis of misleading information.

Businesses should therefore assess the legal suitability of a proposed name before spending money on new branding, websites, signs or stationery.

How to Check If Your New Company Name Is Available?

Before filing a name change, the business should search the Companies House register to determine whether an identical or potentially conflicting name already exists.

Availability alone should not be the only consideration.

A business should also consider whether the proposed name could be regarded as too similar to an existing company and whether another organisation owns trade mark rights connected with that wording.

Companies House registration and trade mark law are separate systems. The fact that Companies House accepts a company name does not guarantee that using the name will not infringe somebody else’s trade mark rights.

Checking the name thoroughly before filing can therefore reduce the risk of disputes and another costly rebrand later.

How to Change a Company Name at Companies House?

There are two main routes through which a company can voluntarily change its registered name under the Companies Act 2006.

Change the Name by Special Resolution

A special resolution is the most common method.

Generally, at least 75% of the voting rights participating in the decision must support a special resolution. The company should follow the voting requirements contained in its articles and company law.

Special resolutions must normally be filed with Companies House within 15 days after they are passed.

The company must separately notify Companies House of the name change. Where the change is being made through a special resolution, form NM01 is used for the relevant paper process.

Change the Name Through the Company’s Articles

A company may also change its name using another procedure if its articles of association specifically provide a method for doing so.

This possibility was introduced as part of the Companies Act 2006 framework.

Where a name is changed using a procedure contained in the articles, the company must notify Companies House and confirm that the change has been made through a method permitted by those articles.

File the Change Online

Companies House provides an online name-change service for changes made by special resolution.

The business will need the relevant company information and authorisation details required by the filing service.

Online filing is generally the more convenient route because the submission can be made digitally and the standard filing fee is lower than the paper option.

File Form NM01 or NM04

Form NM01 applies where a company changes its name by resolution.

Where the name is being changed through a method permitted by the company’s articles, form NM04 is used.

Businesses should ensure the information provided matches the resolution and proposed company name exactly. Incorrect information can result in a rejected filing and delay the rebranding process.

How Much Does It Cost to Change a Company Name in 2026?

Companies House charges different fees depending on the filing method.

Filing Method	2026 Fee
Online Name Change	£20
Software Filing	£20
Paper Name Change	£30
Same-Day Name Change	£85

The dedicated Companies House fee schedule, updated in July 2026, lists the same-day company name change service at £85. The standard online fee remains £20, while the paper filing fee is £30.

Businesses should check the latest Companies House fee schedule before filing because statutory filing charges can change.

How Long Does a Companies House Name Change Take?

The processing period depends on the filing route and whether Companies House needs additional information.

Companies House offers a premium same-day service for qualifying digital name-change applications. Standard filings do not carry the same same-day commitment.

Processing can also take longer if the proposed name contains restricted wording, requires supporting evidence or raises questions under the company-name rules.

Businesses should avoid using the new legal name on formal documents before the change has officially taken effect.

Under the Companies Act 2006, the name change becomes legally effective on the date Companies House issues the new certificate of incorporation reflecting the changed name.

What Is the Difference Between a Same As and Too Like Company Name?

These two Companies House concepts sound similar but are not identical.

A same as name is one Companies House considers effectively identical to a name already on the register after certain words, punctuation, characters and other differences are disregarded.

For example, small changes involving punctuation may not be sufficient to make two names legally different.

There are limited exceptions. A same-as name may sometimes be accepted where the companies are part of the same group and the existing company or LLP provides the required confirmation that it has no objection.

A too like name is not technically identical but may be considered so similar to another registered name that confusion could arise.

Companies House can require a business to change a name following a successful complaint that the registered name is too like another existing name.

Can Companies House Reject or Force You to Change a Company Name?

Yes. Registering a name does not provide an absolute right to continue using it indefinitely.

Companies House can require a company to change its name in several circumstances, including where the name is too like another registered name, where misleading information was supplied, where it presents a seriously misleading indication of the company’s activities or where it falls within strengthened restrictions relating to criminal purposes.

Companies House guidance states that businesses will normally be allowed at least 28 days to comply with a direction to change their name.

Under newer powers, the registrar can also replace certain company names where a business fails to comply with a direction.

Does Companies House Approval Protect Your Trade Mark?

No. This is an important distinction for businesses planning a rebrand.

Companies House deals with registered company names, while the Intellectual Property Office deals with registered trade marks.

A company could therefore successfully register a new Companies House name and still face a trade mark dispute from another business.

Likewise, simply registering a company name does not automatically give the business registered trade mark protection over that wording.

UK government guidance explicitly notes that company law and trade mark law are different and that acceptance of a company name does not guarantee it will qualify for trade mark registration.

Businesses investing heavily in a new brand should therefore investigate both company-name availability and relevant intellectual property rights.

What Happens After Your Company Name Is Changed?

The administrative work does not end when Companies House approves the application.

Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name

Companies House issues a new certificate of incorporation showing the company’s new registered name.

The certificate provides evidence that the change has officially taken effect.

Company Number

Changing the name does not create a new company.

The company remains the same legal entity and continues under its existing corporate identity. Rights and obligations are unaffected by the change.

Existing Contracts and Liabilities

Existing contracts normally continue because the underlying legal entity has not disappeared.

However, customers, suppliers, landlords and other contracting parties should be informed so that future records and correspondence use the correct name.

HMRC and Tax Records

Businesses should check that relevant tax records reflect the new name.

For VAT-registered companies with a Company Registration Number, government guidance states that the company tells Companies House and Companies House passes the change to HMRC. The new name should then appear in the business tax account within 15 days.

Businesses should still check other relevant tax arrangements, particularly where they operate PAYE, CIS or other HMRC services.

Bank Accounts and Payment Providers

The company’s bank, merchant account providers and online payment processors should be informed.

Banks may ask for the new certificate of incorporation before changing the account name.

Invoices and Business Stationery

Invoices, order forms, quotations, letterheads and other business documents should be updated to show the correct registered name.

Using outdated information after a name change can cause confusion for customers and suppliers.

Website and Online Profiles

The website should be updated alongside email signatures, online directories, social media profiles and relevant marketplace accounts.

The company’s legal information in the website footer or terms and conditions should also be reviewed.

Customers, Suppliers and Insurers

Important commercial contacts should be told about the change.

This may include suppliers, insurers, landlords, finance providers, customers, accountants, payroll providers and professional advisers.

What Must You Update After Changing Your Company Name?

Once the new certificate has been issued, businesses should carry out a full review of places where the old registered name appears.

Priority should be given to legal documents, financial accounts, invoices, contracts, websites and regulatory records.

Companies with licences, insurance policies, finance agreements, leases or industry registrations should check whether those organisations need formal evidence of the name change.

A name change can be legally straightforward but operationally significant. Creating a structured update process can help prevent the old and new names appearing inconsistently across different parts of the business.

What Must Legally Display Your New Company Name?

UK companies have legal requirements concerning how their registered name is displayed.

A company must generally display its registered name at its registered office and other business locations. A business operated from a person’s home does not normally need to display the sign at that home.

The registered company name must also appear on company documents, publicity and letters.

Business letters, order forms and websites must contain specified corporate details, including the company’s registered number, registered office address and the part of the UK in which the company is registered.

After a company name change, these materials should therefore be reviewed promptly.

Can You Reuse the Name of a Company That Went Into Liquidation?

Extra caution is required when the previous company entered insolvent liquidation.

Under section 216 of the Insolvency Act 1986, a person who was a director or shadow director of an insolvent company during the 12 months before liquidation can be restricted from using certain names connected with that company.

The restriction generally lasts for five years from the date of liquidation and can apply to the previous registered name as well as a sufficiently similar name suggesting an association with the failed company.

There are statutory exceptions, but directors should not assume that simply registering a similar company name with Companies House makes its use lawful.

Breaching the prohibited-name rules can have serious consequences, including potential personal liability. Professional legal or insolvency advice may therefore be appropriate before reusing the name of an insolvent business.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing a Company Name

Businesses often focus heavily on the branding aspect of a name change and overlook the legal or administrative details.

Common problems include choosing a name before checking availability, failing to investigate trade marks, submitting an incorrect resolution, forgetting to update business documents, and beginning to use the new registered name before Companies House has issued the new certificate.

Another mistake is assuming that Companies House approval prevents future objections. A registered name can still become subject to action where it is too like another name or represents an opportunistic registration.

The Company Names Tribunal deals with certain complaints involving names associated with another person or business’s goodwill where the registration may misleadingly suggest a connection.

Conclusion

Changing a company name at Companies House is more than a branding decision. Businesses must choose an acceptable new name, obtain the correct company approval, file the appropriate information and wait for Companies House to register the change.

The legal framework has also become stricter over time. The Companies Act 2006 expanded the ways companies could change their names, while later reforms strengthened controls over confusing, misleading and potentially abusive company names.

For businesses changing a company name in 2026, checking availability, trade marks, filing requirements and post-change records before beginning a rebrand can prevent unnecessary delays and costs.

FAQs

Do I Need a Special Resolution to Change a Company Name?

A special resolution is one of the main ways to change a limited company’s registered name. However, a company may use another procedure if its articles of association specifically provide a method for changing the name.

How Much Does It Cost to Change a Company Name at Companies House?

As of 2026, Companies House lists the standard online name-change fee at £20 and the paper fee at £30. The dedicated current fee schedule lists the same-day digital service at £85.

Can I Change My Company Name Online?

Yes. Companies House provides an online service for company name changes made by special resolution. Other methods may require a different filing route.

How Long Does Companies House Take to Approve a New Name?

Processing depends on the filing method and whether Companies House needs additional information. A premium same-day service is available for qualifying filings, while standard applications do not have the same guaranteed processing arrangement.

Does My Company Number Change After a Name Change?

No new company is created simply because the registered name changes. The existing company continues with its rights, obligations and corporate history under the new registered name.

Do I Need to Tell HMRC After Changing My Company Name?

The process depends on the tax involved. For VAT-registered companies with a Company Registration Number, Companies House passes the company-name change to HMRC, and the new name should normally appear in the business tax account within 15 days.

Can Companies House Reject My New Company Name?

Yes. Companies House can reject or take action against names that breach company-name rules, including restricted, offensive, conflicting, misleading or certain potentially abusive names.

Businesses should check the proposed name carefully before submitting the application.